'Dedicating attack to Health Minister and superintendent'; Sanoop shows no remorse after hacking doctor in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: The attack on a doctor at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital has once again put Kerala’s healthcare sector on the brink of fear. Casualty Medical Officer and Assistant Surgeon Dr P.T. Vipin (35) was fatally stabbed on the head by a person who believed that his nine-year-old daughter, who was suffering from encephalitis, died due to the doctors' negligence.

The attack was carried out by Sanoop (Sunoop-40) of Anapparapoyil, Korangad, Thamarassery. In fact, it was not Vipin who treated Sanoop’s daughter. Vipin was admitted to Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode. He underwent surgery for a fractured skull. The wound is seven centimetres deep. The doctor's health condition is presently satisfactory.

Sanoop showed no remorse and dedicated the attack to Health Minister Veena George and the superintendent of the taluk hospital.

The incident took place at 1.45 pm on Wednesday. Doctors and staff at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and other government hospitals in the district went on strike. All services except casualty services were suspended on an immediate basis.

Sanoop came with a dagger hidden in his bag to attack the superintendent. Meanwhile, the superintendent was in a meeting, and it was Dr Vipin who came out first to check the patient's lab report from the meeting room. Vipin headed into the superintendent's office to get the lab report and checked it. Meanwhile, Sanoop reached the spot and hacked the doctor over the other people crowded in the room.

Despite being wounded, Vipin showed valiance and resisted further attack from the assailant. In the meantime, others came to help and subdued the attacker. Dr Vipin is a native of Thalassery.

Eyewitnesses report that Sanoop arrived at the hospital around 11:30 am. He went to the office and waited, saying he wanted to see Dr Gopalakrishnan.

• Sanoop attacked Dr Vipin, mistaking him for the superintendent.

• Locals say that Sanoop's wife, Rambisa and two other children were with him at the hospital. They left before the incident.

• On the instructions of Thamarassery Dysp. P. Chandramohan, the police rushed to the hospital and took the accused into custody. A case of attempted murder was registered.

• Sanoop is a native of Thrissur. He came to Thamarassery two decades ago. He was a barber and later turned to the vegetable business. Sanoop also earns a living as a daily wage worker.

Sanoop’s daughter Anaya (9) died of amoebic meningoencephalitis on August 14. She was treated at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital following a fever. She was later admitted to Kozhikode Medical College.

The family had complained that the doctors at the Taluk Hospital did not inform them about her critical condition in time, and she had been rushed to the hospital only in the last minute.